kit gun / backbacking pistol question

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.22 Caliber S&W model 34-1 "Kit Gun"

I have an original, factory nickel (98% NRA condition) Smith & Wesson
2" barrel, square butt "Kit Gun" that I could use for backpacking 'round
Alabama; that is, if I wanted too~! Fact is, this is an adjustable sighted
weapon in great condition; and just too darn pretty too tote around in
a bag~! :eek: ;)
 
Most of my backpacking has been east of the big Miss, so laarge bears have not been a problem. I used a S&W 63 for many years, and it was fine. Since most of my backpacking was in national Parks, I had to keep it concealed, so in 1999 I went with a 317.

Never looked back.

The 317 has been every bit as accurite as my 63, holds 8 shots instead of 6, weights in at 12 onces, and even concealed you can forget it's there.

Load it up with some stingers, and it will do what you need in a real world. Fighting chinese paratroppers or 250 pound crack addicts that look like Conan The barbarian are another thing.

Even with the aluminum construction, it hasn't had to go back to Smith once under the lifetime warenttee. And it's seen thousands of rounds through it.

Great gun!
 
Smith & Wesson 351PD. Seven rounds of .22 WRM, under 11 ounces. I have one on layaway and it will become my kit gun. I read somewhere that in a short barrel like this the .22 mag is about like shooting a .22 LR out of a rifle, which seems like a pretty good trade-off to me. Some folks voice concern over the blast and noise, but in a backwoods gun this can have a benefit, too: As a signaling tool.
 
Ala Dan,

My uncle has one of those 2" m34s as well. I know he doesn't use it and he has offered it to me for $250 in the past. I've been seriously thinking of liberating it from him.

I think it would make a great companion for my 4" m34.
 
go with a sig .22lr there great little guns bought one for the wife and I use it huntin rabbits more than she uses it CCW. Although my little 32 H&R S&W hammerless airlite has gone with her now.
 
LG,

I carry a 22 (usually my Buckmark) for plinking, squirrels, snakes etc.

I always carry a handgun for the violent and unpredictable North American Primate. When hiking a large handgun is easily carried. A Smith .357 or an XD 45 usually fill the bill.
 
When I was young I thought the S&W .22-32 Kit Gun was the neatest gun around. When I was old enough to buy a handgun, howewver, I opted for a .22 semi-automatic.

I was once hiking with a friend who had left a .22 Hi Standard in the car. We came upon a foul-tempered feral pig that looked to be the size of a rhino, and persuaded him to leave by shouting and throwing rocks. A forest ranger later told us to never walk in that area unarmed, and that in his opinion a .22 was far from adequate.

A .22 is ideal for plinking and snakes. It is comparatively quiet, and the ammunition is extremely light and compact. I now think those advantages are outweighed by the low power.

If bears are a concern I would think a .357 would be the minimum advisable caliber. If not, I might choose the new .327 Ruger or S&W. I know a lot of people will find that ridiculous, but the advantage is that fifty S&W Long cartidges are lighter and take up less space than .38 Specials, and that six or twelve Magnum cartridges won't be too much of an additional load.
 
2 choices I didn't see. If you are willing to use a .22 rimfire, then a .380 like the LCP or the Baretta is not our of the question. It holds 6+1, is light and small and you can carry spare mags. You can also reload for it to save money on plinking ammo.

Also, the new .32 Federal magnum snub nose like the SP101 will hold 6 rounds of very powerful rounds, but it will also take .32 longs and .32 H&R's so you can control your power level for plinking and defense. Only problem is even the .32 long is hard to find and way too expensive. Learn to reload it you don't know already and this is a viable option.

I mean to present these as options, but just so you know, I'd chose a snub nose or 4" .357 as my first choice.
 
Lone Gunman That is if i am only hiking. If I am hunting then the k22 6 inch is on one hip and the 629 or 610 is on the other. Oops don't forget the 870 or 4570 lever on the back, depending on the season and state.
 
Fighting chinese paratroppers or 250 pound crack addicts that look like Conan The barbarian are another thing.
Click to expand...
Yes, very common species in southern Missouri.

I really like the Ruger single six as a kit gun, although it is pretty heavy. It seems that you want a good to plink with, shoot the occasional squirrel or rabbit, and maybe have if you cross paths with a snake or aggressive dog. Those are the same reasons I carry my single six or buckmark while hiking (not backpacking). If you are looking for a general purpose outdoors gun (for small game or self defense) I think your best bet is a S&W model 10 or a used/police trade in .357.

It seems that people are answering two different questions, and so did I:D

HB

PS, check out air pistols.... quiet and effective enough for small game, plus you can carry 250 pellets in the space of a cigarette lighter. Much safe to shoot when others might be present and light enough to carry a .38
 
I have a M63 4" that I have used for that purpose since the early 1980's, not much of a hiker though mostly carried while bow hunting in the South and West.

I also carried it in Alaska for 4 years but it was normally used to finish off game shot by rifle or take small game for the camp pot. It is my constant companion in the woods and trusted implicitly. Another advantage is cartridge weight; you can carry 100 rounds of .22 very easily!

If I were toting a bow in Alaska I would likely carry something with a little more ass to it; my 327 Night Guard comes to mind, 24 oz with 8 shots of 357 mag. Big hand guns are a plus when large bears are around but they will not stop a bear intent on whipping your ass; it is just a bad day if that happens.


 
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The OP didn't state WHY, exactly, he wants to carry a gun.

It's not for bear.....and apparently not for two-legged snakes.

No mention of taking small game...

The only stipulations he made were that size and weight mattered and that he'd like to plink with it.

If all he really wants is a compact and light noise-maker, then it doesn't matter which one he picks.

.
 
Now ME........

When I go afield, I'm concerned with those two-legged snakes, so my gun choice reflects that.

I won't go below a 3" .38 or 9mm, but prefer a .40 or larger. I also wouldn't go with some novelty gun that won't allow me to hit what I'm aiming at.

Weight? What about it ? I'll gladly put up with a little bit of extra weight IF it'll allow the gun to do the job I brought the gun to do!

18oz vs 24 oz vs 47 oz? If carrying a couple ounces or even an extra pound is ENOUGH TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, then I'll just have to get stronger !!

:D
 
If “Weight and bulk are major considerations” I don’t think your going to beat the 317 in either barrel length.
Just an FYI, they have a pretty horrendous DA trigger pull, regardless I still really like them.
 
My woods carry gun is my Colt Woodsman, 6 7/8 barrel. The reason I carry it is because it is light and I can shoot it well. I've knocked down many a squirrel with this gun.

The idea of carrying a gun you can't shoot squirrels with is mystifying to me. Guns are for shooting. Why carry one at all if you can't shoot it accurately?
 
The idea of carrying a gun you can't shoot squirrels with is mystifying to me. Guns are for shooting. Why carry one at all if you can't shoot it accurately?
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Good question !!!

I remember reading an article in Gun and Ammo many years ago that extolled the virtues of a 2" .38 snubby as the 'ideal trail gun.' They suggested carrying it in the back pocket.

I wonder if they would still think it would be a good choice if they had to make a 25 yd shot on the only rabbit they'd seen for days......

I'm willing to carry the weight and bulk of a gun IF it'll do the job I'm carrying it for.

.
 
I guess I maybe should have maybe listed the 317 and the NAA mini master as my leading candidates. I expected I would get a lot of "that is not enough gun" responses, but I am not expecting to get into any gun fights and I dont expect I will run into any brown bears. I would like to have a gun that would allow me to at least try to gather a little pot meat. (I have to admit that the crazy gray squirrels we have around here can usually best me when all I have is a pistol) Having some kind of gun also allows me to rest a little easier and relax a little more on solo trips. And I do have to say that if everyone else is carrying heavy large caliber guns if not multiple firearms I must be a wimp. The trips I take are 5 to 10 days carrying all supplies, and covering 12 to 18 miles a day. I get very picky about what makes it into the pack. Ounces make pounds and over a decent distance they really take their toll.
I do appreciate all the responses, I probably was not clear enough in my original post. I need a very light gun with reasonable accuracy.
 
"I remember reading an article in Gun and Ammo many years ago that extolled the virtues of a 2" .38 snubby as the 'ideal trail gun."

I remember a story about a 3" mod 60. That extra inch makes a big difference although I still wouldn't be wasting ammo on a 25 yard rabbit with my 3" mod 36. 25-30 feet yes.
 
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